I had my engine rebuilt, bumped the compression to 10.25, put in a comp cam high enery (PART NUMBER 92-202-4 I've got the headers (small tube from TA, they fit beautifully) at that time I ordered in the booster plate and the adustable pressure spring. My engine builder put in a higher pressure spring at the rebuild so I'm hesitant to do anything that may jeopordize his work. So I'm wondering if I should go ahead and install the booster plate and adjustable spring setup? JG
JG, You can install the adjustable regulator easily enough. Just take the endcap nut off and replace it with the regulator. Most guys use a stock spring in conjunction with the regulator. Installing the booster plate means disassembling the pump. Anytime you do this, you lose the prime. You therefore have to pack the pump with petroleom jelly, so that all the air space around the gears is taken up. This assures the pump will prime when you start the motor afterwards. The easiest way to do this is to remove both gears, then pack the pocket, then install the gears, and remove the excess. Optimum end clearance on the pump is .002. The gasket thickness determines end clearance. The gears protrude above the timing cover metal gasket surface. You need to measure how much, and then use a gasket that is .002 thicker, this gives .002 end clearance. The gaskets will compress in service also affecting end clearance. TA sells an oil pump shim set for this purpose (TA 1704). Ask your engine builder if he set up the end clearance to .002. If so you may be able to use his gasket if it comes off in one piece. Hope that helps.
